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Emergency Services Technology

Emergency Services Technology

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Danielle White
Fire and Emergency Services Enrolment Specialist
 780 853 8789
 780 581 0805
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LocationVermilion
CredentialDiploma
Program Length1 year
Delivery MethodFace-to-face

When you're ready to be a first responder, choose Lakeland’s emergency services technology (EST) program.

A unique blend of firefighting and pre-hospital care, it’s the only full-time diploma course of its kind in Canada. Core firefighting training is first. Then you’ll choose between continuing in the fire stream or shifting your focus to the emergency medical stream.

Your extensive hands-on training takes place at our Emergency Training Centre (ETC). ETC is the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art training ground in Canada. On it you’ll run live scenarios all through your 36-weeks here.

If you choose fire, you’ll move beyond NFPA 1001 qualifications. Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) is your focus in emergency medical.

You finish the program with a 12-week (160 hour) practicum.

While you're here, you are also eligible to write the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and/or Pro Board certified exams. This meets the prerequisites you may need for other NFPA professional standards training.

Applications opened May 1, 2024 for both 2025 fire and medical streams

Requirements

Admission requirements for 2026 are currently under review and will be updated soon.

  1. Minimum age 18 by program start date.
  2. A high school diploma with a minimum of:
    • 50% in English 30-1 or English 30-2
    • 50% in Math 20-3
    • 50% in one of any grade 12 science (Biology 30 is preferred)
  3. Proof of English language proficiency.
  4. Proof of a valid Unrestricted Alberta Class 5 or equivalent driver’s licence (with GDL is acceptable).
  5. Proof of airbrake endorsement. Must be reflected on your driver's licence. A temporary or interim licence is acceptable.
  6. Proof of medical clearance. The medical release form (PDF) must be completed within 1 year of program start date.
  7. Completed EST - Fire Program Checklist (PDF). Must be completed within 1 year from the start date of the program.
  8. Proof of CPR-C certification. Must be valid to the program end date.
  9. Proof of Standard First Aid (SFA) or Advanced First Aid (AFA) or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). 
    • SFA or AFA must be valid to the program end date and be on the list of Alberta approved first aid training agencies.
    • EMR certificate/transcript must indicate a graduation date within 12 months prior to the program start date.
Important Note: Advanced First Aid or Emergency Medical Responder are preferred and may be required to receive International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certification for NFPA 1006 Rescue certifications. This applies to awareness level, operations level, and technician level of this standard. Provincial Government requirements are currently under review.

  1. Minimum age 18 by program start date.
  2. A high school diploma with a minimum of:
    • 50% in English 30-1 or English 30-2
    • 50% in Math 20-3
    • 60% in Biology 30
  3. Proof of English language proficiency.
  4. Proof of a valid Unrestricted Alberta Class 5 or equivalent driver’s licence (with GDL is acceptable).
  5. Proof of airbrake endorsement. Must be reflected on your driver's licence. A temporary or interim licence is acceptable.
  6. Proof of medical clearance. The medical release form (PDF) must be completed within 1 year of program start date.
  7. Completed EST - Medical Program Checklist (PDF). Must be completed within 1 year from the start date of the program.
  8. Proof of CPR-C certification or Basic Life Support (BLS). CPR-C must be valid to the program end date or BLS must be valid to the program start date and remain current throughout training. 
  9. Proof of Advanced First Aid (AFA) or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). 
    • AFA must be valid to the program end date and be on the list of Alberta approved first aid training agencies.
    • EMR certificate/transcript must indicate a graduation date within 12 months prior to the program start date.
Notes:
  • Admission is determined on a first-qualified (all requirements completed) basis.
  • If you completed high school outside of Alberta, check provincial subject equivalents.
  • If you don’t have the academic requirements, you may qualify through special admissions.
  • If you are an International student, check eligible programs.

After you've been accepted into the program, you must also meet these program requirements.

Refer to our immunization requirements document for instructions.

Submit a copy of your immunization history to Health Services on or before the program start date by:

You are required to be in uniform on registration day.

Review and complete the uniform information sheet and uniform order form with coupon.

The form expires on October 31 each year. An updated form will be posted here as soon as it is available.

See additional information under program details.

A clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector check is required for your practicum placement.

  • Contact your local RCMP detachment for cost and procedure.
  • This must be requested and issued within 3 months of the program start date.
  • A driver's abstract may also be required.

Submit these documents to the Emergency Training Center on or before the program start date by: 

Failure to provide the required documents will result in your withdrawal from the program. 
If you cannot provide a clear criminal record check, please email admissions@lakelandcollege.ca to cancel your application or change your program choice.

As you prepare for your start date, review this important information.

Enrolment is the final step after you've been accepted, paid your tuition deposit, and the timetable has been set.

  • You will be automatically enrolled in your courses.
  • You can expect to be enrolled approximately 1 month before the program start date.
  • Once you've been enrolled, your schedule will be available in My Lakeland.

If you completed relevant courses at another post-secondary institution, you may be eligible for transfer credit. Apply for transfer credit at least 2 months before classes start by completing the transfer credit form.

Review all of the other ways Lakeland does prior learning assessments.

When you complete the program requirements, you will be awarded an Emergency Services Technology diploma.

More program details

2025-26 tuition and fees

Stream Tuition and program fees Estimated books, supplies and field trips Mandatory fees
Fire $21,750 $999 $942
Medical $21,750 $1,430 $942

Remember that studying includes other expenses than tuition and fees - you should also be budgeting for your accommodation and living expenses. Alberta student loan guidelines recommends $1,153/month.

Our tuition and fees page has details about academic, application and mandatory fees and their cost breakdown per term.

You can also find a list of your textbooks and supplies.

This is an accelerated (continuous) diploma running from February to February.

You'll take pre-employment fire service training, then specialize in either more fire or move into emergency medical.

To enhance the student experience and expand hands-on training opportunities, we are currently reviewing the courses offered in this program. The finalized course list will be posted once revisions are complete.

Notes:

  • the program begins with a 30-hour online module on anatomy and physiology
  • the next stage is a 5-week on-site training practicum
  • two clinical practicum placements – a minimum 60-hour hospital practicum and a 192-hour and 30 emergency call emergency ambulance practicum.
  • practicums are across Alberta
  • medical specialization curriculum matches the paramedic National Occupational Competency Profile

Dates are subject to changes. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.

Applications open May 1, 2024

Feb 3 — Tuition and Fees due
Feb 24 — Registration Day/First day of Classes
March 10 — Last day with withdraw will full refund less tuition deposit
April 18-21 — Easter break, college closed
June 16-20 — Student break 1, no classes
Sept 1-5 — Student break 2, no classes
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 13 — Thanksgiving, college closed
TBD — EST graduation
Nov 7 — Last day of classes on campus
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Feb 13 — Last day of program, practicum must be completed
June 5 — Vermilion Campus Convocation

Details for the 2026-2027 Emergency Services Technology program are still being finalized.

Application open date is TBD.

Dates are subject to changes. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.

Feb 3 — Tuition and Fees due
Feb 23 — Registration Day/First day of Classes
March 10 — Last day with withdraw will full refund less tuition deposit
April 18-21 — Easter break, college closed
May 19-23 — Student break 1, no classes
Sept 1-5 — Student break 2, no classes
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 13 — Thanksgiving, college closed
TBD — EST graduation
Nov 6 — Last day of classes on campus
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Feb 12 — Last day of program, practicum must be completed
TBD — Vermilion Campus Convocation

Continue your learning

After you finish you can advance your skills with further firefighting courses or pre-hospital care courses.

Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) can pursue their Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance (Primary Care Paramedic) training. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can pursue their Paramedic (Advanced Care Paramedic) training.

Specialized training from Lakeland College's Emergency Training Centre (ETC) includes:

  • fire officer professional qualifications 
  • fire inspector 
  • fire investigator 
  • fire service instructor 
  • industrial brigade member 
  • safety codes officer
Student practicing roof access
A textbook can't teach you what it feels like to be fighting a fire. It can't teach you how to harness your adrenaline either. With our hands on classes, you'll be ready.


Learning in action

Lakeland students in a night fire live experience
Lakeland College is home to the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art training grounds in Canada. Learn more about how you'll grow at our facilities.


Tour ETC virtually

Lakeland students in firefighting gear

Lakeland graduates specialize in either the medical or fire stream in our program, resulting in a wide variety of options for you to employ your expertise. Discover how our alumni are already making a difference.

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